Foam dispenser

ABSTRACT

A dispenser ( 1 ) for dispensing a mixture of two or more fluids, e.g. liquid ( 9 ) and gas ( 4 ) (e.g. air) as a foam and/or mist, the dispenser comprising a flexible container ( 6 ) for a liquid including a conduit ( 8 ) having first and second end portions ( 11,12 ) the first end portion ( 11 ) terminating in an opening in the container ( 6 ) through which the mixture is expelled from the container ( 6 ) and the second open end portion ( 12 ) being close to the base of said container, wherein the conduit ( 8 ) includes a third open end portion ( 13 ) which is located close to the top ( 16 ) of the container and laterally inclined or opposed to the second open end portion ( 12 ) and the dispenser further being provided with one or more three-dimensional turbulence elements ( 26 ) mounted in the flow path of the liquid before it leaves the dispensing opening.

The present invention concerns dispensers which dispense an mixture offluids, particularly but not exclusively portable dispensers whichdispense, under pressure, foam from a mixture of fluids e.g. gas andliquid.

The term “portable” as used herein in intended to mean hand-helddispensers, preferentially dispensers that can be held with only onehand, such as commercially available dispensers for deodorants, shavingfoam, or liquid cleaning compositions. The invention is also suitablefor large portable dispensers, that cannot be held with only one hand.

Foam dispensers to dispense a mixture of liquid and gas as a foam areknown. As a common characteristic, they comprise a container and adispensing cap, said cap comprising a dispensing opening which, at leastduring dispensing, is in open connection with the upper end of a flowpipe (known as dip tube), of which the opposite end is located near thebottom of the container. Liquid and gas are pushed out of the dispensingopening together due to the pressure difference between the inside andoutside of the container. Conveniently the pressurised gas in thecontainers is air but it may be another suitable gas. The increased or‘positive’ (relative to external pressure) internal pressure ispermanent in pressurised containers. For non-pressurised containers theinternal pressure can be decrease/increased manually and temporarilywith a pump system to draw air into container and then expel this. Somepump systems raise the internal pressure sufficient to provide for amultitude of dispensing operations. Other pump systems e.g. thoseforming part of various pump dispensing heads or caps increase internalpressure as part of the dispensing operation. Examples of suchdispensing systems are trigger spray heads. Dispensers of this andsimilar kind are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,053,364, 5,271,530,5,443,569, etc. One problem with such trigger spray head dispensers isthat they are expensive and are not economic in use of plastic resource.

Mist dispensing systems which operate by manual squeezing of a liquidfilled flexible-walled container or ‘squeeze bottle’ are also known.Such containers are used for dispensing a mist or spray. Manualcompression of the container increases the internal pressure in the headspace above the liquid, compelling the liquid to rise upward through thedip tube and be ejected from the container.

Due to the configuration of the cap dispensing orifice and/or the use oftwo-dimensional structures the liquid can be expelled as a spray.

An exemplary embodiment of such dispenser is shown in U.S. Pat. No.2,642,313, published in 1953.

Known foam or mist dispensers are sold with a solution inside thecontainer and a flat mesh or net in the flow path of the liquid to formthe mist. However, such foam forming elements can be expensive tomanufacture and are often not very efficient for creating a desiredthick foam.

The present invention seeks to solve or at least reduce the abovementioned problems by the provision of a simple, cost effective foamdispenser which does not require complicated foaming elements in theflow path of the liquid i.e. somewhere in the dip tube that conveys theliquid from the bottom of a container towards the container cap or abovethe dip tube in the container cap.

Therefore the invention provides a dispenser for dispensing a mixture oftwo or more fluids, e.g. liquid and gas (e.g. air) as a foam and/ormist, the dispenser comprising a flexible container for a liquidincluding a conduit having first and second end portions, the first endportion terminating in an dispensing opening in the container throughwhich the mixture is expelled from the container and the second open endportion being close to the base of said container, wherein the conduitincludes a third open end portion which is located close to the top ofthe container and laterally inclined or opposed to the second open endportion and the dispenser further being provided with one or morethree-dimensional turbulence elements mounted in the flow path of theliquid before it leaves the dispensing opening.

With this arrangement an effective foam dispenser is provided whereby amixture of fluids e.g liquid and air can be ejected from the containersimply by squeezing the container. The provision of openings at the topand bottom of the container allow the device to function whether it isorientated upright (top above base) or inverted. Further, as the secondand third conduit openings are mutually laterally inclined or opposedthe device also operate when it is tilted sideways.

Other additional turbulence elements may be mounted in other parts ofliquid flow path.

Turbulence elements of the present invention may mounted movably in theliquid flow path and may act in a bifunctional way as a turbulencegenerator as well as a valve.

Where (as is described in more detail hereinbelow) the conduit/dip tubeis provided with one or more upper ends and/or one or more lower ends,meaning that said pipe can be branched or split thus providingadditional ends, these one or more ends may be provided with at leastone turbulence element.

In order to provide for enough gas inside the container to obtain asatisfactory foam, the liquid preferably occupies less than 95% of thetotal volume inside the container of the dispenser, more preferably lessthan 90%.

In some embodiments of the invention the dispenser comprises a mixingchamber in the liquid flow path, preferably close to the dispensingopening in the cap and down-stream from the opening connecting theliquid flow path to the headspace in the container. Alternatively thatopening may be in the mixing chamber such that gas (air) and liquid meetin the mixing chamber. In more preferred examples of these embodimentsthe turbulence element may be mounted in the mixing chamber or be partof the mixing chamber.

As used here, a three-dimensional turbulence element is any and allthree-dimensional structure capable of provoking turbulence of theliquid while flowing to the dispensing opening of the dispenser. Asexamples of such structures, without the exclusion of any other, 3-Dturbulence elements can be sets of lashes or bristles inside the diptube or mixing chamber, or next to the ends thereof, as well as parallelor random sets of fins, parallel or randomly arranged apertured ornon-apertured flat disks of same or different diameters, a distributionof filaments either loose or as a woven or nonwoven web or plug, shapedparticles like spheres, cylinders, other mixed and irregular shapes,porous elements such as pumice stone or natural or artificial polymericfoam, etc.

Combinations of two or more turbulence elements are also suitable.

The presence of a turbulence element at the liquid output end isparticularly suitable to the formation of foam, which can be turned intomist depending on the geometry of the output orifice and the pressureused, as is known by those skilled in the art.

The cap of the dispenser of the invention can be of any shape, aimed atthe function of closing the container after it has been filled with theliquid and allowing same to be dispensed. When the container used isflexible, a cap having an orifice and a coupling for the upper end ofthe dip tube are particularly suitable. When the container used isrigid, the cap can house a pumping device to be actuated by the user'sfingers, for instance also comprising a coupling for the upper end ofthe conduit and/or a mixing chamber.

The conduit may be branched, curved or kinked or a combination thereofto effect the relative orientation of the second and third conduit endportions.

The conduit may be curved or kinked in a section e.g. mid or uppersection, so as to incline the second open end portion between 10-60degrees to the longitudinal axis of the container, preferably 15-45degrees, more preferably 15-30 degrees, even more preferably 20 degrees.

The third open end portion may extend from an upper section (ie. Towardthe top of the container when it is orientated upright) of the conduit,e.g at right angles.

The conduit may have tee (T-shaped) configuration at the top, whereinthe third open end portion branches off orthogonally from a main sectionof the conduit, preferably generally longitudinally aligned.

The top of the conduit may be offset from the central longitudinal axis.

The conduit may be in the form of or include a dip tube which mayco-operate with a container closure or cap also provided.

The container may be flexible by means of one or more flexible portions,and the invention is not restricted to an entirely flexible container.Rigid sections eg. Base, corners etc may be included e.g. for increasingstrength.

A dispenser of this invention can have any shape suitable to portabilityand handling, without excluding any shape.

The cap of the dispenser of the invention can be of any shape, aimed atthe function of closing the container after it has been filled with theliquid and allowing same to be dispensed.

The dispenser parts may be made of any material suitable for thepurpose. A majority, if not all, of the parts are suitably made frompolymeric material.

The dispensers according to the invention may be used for any liquidintended to be dispensed as a foam or mist. Examples are: edible liquidssuch as cream or milk, paint or cleaning liquids. They are particularlysuitable for dispensing cleaning liquids as a foam. Such cleaningliquids generally contain a foaming surfactant, preferably in completelydissolved form. They may also contain other components known in the artas components of cleaning liquids. They may even contain solidparticulate matter provided it is in stable suspension in the liquid.Preferred, however, are cleaning liquids that do not contain anyundissolved solid matter.

Non-limiting embodiments of the invention are outlined below withreference to the drawings attached hereto.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the invention(turbulence element not shown).

FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the diptube and container cap of FIG.1, but also showing the turbulence element.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a dispenser 1 for dispensing amixture of two or more fluids 2,4, e.g. liquid 2 and gas i.e. air 4 as afoam and/or mist. The dispenser 1 comprises a flexible container 6 forcontaining the liquid and includes a conduit 8 comprising a dip tube 8 ahaving first and second end portions 11,12 the first end portion 11terminating in an opening in the container 6 through which the mixture2,4 is expelled from the container and the second open end portion 12being close to the base 14 of said container 6, wherein the conduit 8includes a third open end portion 13 which is located close to the top16 of the container 6 and laterally inclined or opposed to the secondopen end portion 12.

With this arrangement a cost effective foam dispenser is provided whichdoes not require complicated foaming elements in the flow path of theliquid. A mixture of fluids e.g liquid and air can be ejected from thecontainer simply by squeezing the container. The provision of openingsat the top and bottom of the container allow the device to functionwhether it is orientated upright (with central longitudinal axisupright, and top above base) or inverted (base above top).

Further, as the second and third conduit openings 12,13 are laterallyopposed the dispenser 1 also operates when it is tilted sideways.

The conduit is kinked or bent (at Y) generally in its upper section 18,so as to incline the second open end portion 12 approximately 20 degreesto the longitudinal axis of the container 6.

The third open end portion 13 extend from an upper section 18 (ie.Toward the top of the container when it orientated upright) of theconduit 8, e.g at right angles. The conduit may have tee (T-shaped)configuration at the top, wherein the third open end portion branchesoff orthogonally from a main section of the conduit, preferablygenerally longitudinally aligned.

The conduit comprises a dip tube in co-operation with the containerclosure 20 having dispensing opening 22.

The container is flexible by means of a generally flexible body portion24. However certain sections eg the base 26 and optionally cornerportions may have increased rigidity e.g. for increasing strength.

The dispenser parts may be made of any material suitable for thepurpose. A majority, if not all, of the parts are suitably made frompolymeric material.

Referring now to FIG. 2 which shows the turbulence element, cap 20 andthe dip tube 8 (in exploded view) are shown.

The turbulence element comprises a die cut polyurethane sponge 26inserted into a conical injected cylinder 28 made of polypropylene.Relative dimensions of the sponge 26 and cylinder 28 are calibrated toassure optimum valve performance.

In use, the dispenser 1 is filled with liquid 2 to leave a head space ofair 4.

The container is then simply compressed by squeezing the body portion 24to expel liquid and air via the sponge 26, where they mix to form foam,from the container.

It will be clear one skilled in the art, with the aid of the text andthe figures presented herein, that there are many possible alternativeembodiments permitted by this invention without departing from the scopeof protection provided by the following claims.

1. A dispenser for dispensing a mixture of two or more fluids, e.g.liquid and gas (e.g. air) as a foam and/or mist, the dispensercomprising a flexible container for a liquid including a conduit havingfirst and second end portions, the first end portion terminating in anopening in the container through which the mixture is expelled from thecontainer and the second open end portion being close to the base ofsaid container wherein the conduit includes a third open end portionwhich is located close to the top of the container and laterallyinclined or opposed to the second open end portion and the dispenserfurther being provided with one or more three-dimensional turbulenceelements mounted in the flow path of the liquid before it leaves thedispensing opening.
 2. Dispenser according to claim 1 characterized inthat it comprises a means for manually pressurising the container. 3.Dispenser according to claim 5 characterized in that the turbulenceelement is mounted in the liquid flow path such that the gas and theliquid flowing to the dispensing opening meet just before or while theypass through the turbulence element.
 4. Dispenser according to claim 1characterized in that it comprises a mixing chamber in the liquid flowpath close to the dispensing opening in the cap and down-stream from, orcomprising, the opening connecting the liquid flow path to the headspace in the container.
 5. Dispenser according to claim 4 characterizedin that the turbulence element is mounted in, or is part of, the mixingchamber.
 6. Dispenser according to claim 1 characterized in that theturbulence element is a porous element.
 7. Dispenser according to claim6 characterised in that the porous element is made of polymeric foam. 8.Dispenser according to claim 1 characterized in that the turbulenceelement is a web or plug of filaments.
 9. Dispenser according to claim 1wherein the conduit is branched, curved or kinked or a combinationthereof to effect the relative orientation of the second and thirdconduit end portions.
 10. Dispenser according to claim 1 wherein theconduit is curved or kinked in a section e.g. mid or upper section, soas to incline the second open end portion between 10-60 degrees to thelongitudinal axis of the container, preferably 14-45 degrees, morepreferably 15-30 degrees, even more preferably 20 degrees.
 11. Dispenseraccording to claim 10 wherein the conduit is kinked in a upper sectionby 20 degrees.
 12. Dispenser according to claim 1 wherein the third openend portion extends from an upper section of the conduit, e.g at rightangles.
 13. Dispenser according to claim 1 wherein the conduit has a tee(T-shaped) configuration at the top, wherein the third open end portionbranches off orthogonally from a main section of the conduit. 14.Dispenser according to claim 1 wherein the top of the conduit is alignedwith the central longitudinal axis.
 15. Dispenser according to claim 1wherein the top of the conduit is offset from the central longitudinalaxis.
 16. Dispenser according to claim 1 wherein the conduit is in theform of or include a dip tube which co-operates with a container closureor cap.
 17. Dispenser according to claim 1 in combination with a liquidwherein the liquid may be an edible liquid such as cream or milk, or asurface treatment liquid e.g paint of a cleaning fluid.
 18. Dispenseraccording to claim 17 characterised in that the liquid is a cleaningliquid comprising a foaming surfactant.
 19. Dispenser according to claim17 characterised in that the cleaning liquid does not contain anyundissolved solids.
 20. Dispenser of claim 1 wherein the dispenser isfilled to less than 95% of its internal volume with the liquid. 21.Dispenser of claim 1 further including instructions for use.
 22. Amethod of dispensing a foam or mist using a dispenser according to claim1, the dispenser containing a liquid and comprising the step ofsqueezing the dispenser to expel the liquid as a foam or mist.
 23. Amethod of treating or cleaning a surface with a foam or mist using adispenser or combination according to claim 1, the dispenser containinga surface treatment or cleaning composition.